Manfred Niekisch studied biology at the University of Cologne and obtained his PhD (Dr. rer.
at the University of Bonn with a study on the dispersal strategies of the yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata).
[5] His scientific interests was both in strategies and instruments for the sustainable use of natural resources, aiming especially the conservation of biological diversity.
[6] Niekisch was active in many voluntary functions, among others he was President of the German Society for Tropical Ecology (gtö).
He was vice-president of the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS)[7] and Chairman of the foundation OroVerde.